Prof. Sergio Cecotti has been a member of BIMSA since 2022. Prior to his appointment, he received a degree in Physics at the University of Pisa, Italy in 1979. From 1981 to 1988, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University in the United States, a researcher in the Department of Physics at the University of Pisa, and a researcher in the Theoretical Department at CERN. In 1988, he was appointed as an associate professor of Quantum Field Theory at Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati di Tireste (SISA), Italy. In 1993, he left the academic world to devote himself to politics. Then, in 2014, he returned to SISA.

As a principal investigator in the string theory group at BMSA, he leads the group in conducting in-depth research in many key areas. Professor Cecotti has made outstanding contributions to quantum chromodynamics, topological string theory, and etc. He has published more than 90 academic papers in top journals, and has been cited more than 7,300 times. He is the author of the seminal work "Supersymmetric Field Theory - Geometric Structures and Duality".

Coming to a country with completely different languages and cultures was undoubtedly a big challenge for Professor Cecotti, especially at his age of over 60. But what excites him is the infinite possibility of the development of BIMSA. Cecotti has expressed the following sentiment:

"With Professor Shing-Tung Yau leading the institute and serving as the first president, I believe that BIMSA will definitely become one of the leading mathematical and physics research institutions in the world, bringing together excellent mathematicians and physicists. I am very honoured to be a part of this project."

In addition, he was deeply touched by the Beijing community's high regard for science and respect for scientists. At the opening red carpet ceremony of the Beijing International Film Festival last year, six scientists, including Cecotti, were invited to the red carpet. He said, "It was really an unparalleled experience. To have been 'sought-after' like a movie star while attending the International Film Festival, I felt the warmth and hospitality everyone has for scientists."

Cecotti is honoured to win the 16th Beijing Great Wall Friendship Award. At BIMSA, he enjoys working with mathematicians and physicists from all over the world. But what gives him more of a sense of accomplishment is guiding talented young scientists. He expressed, "I hope to contribute to the cultivation of the next generation of Chinese scientists, and hope that they can grow into globally competitive scientific and technological talents."

Beijing Great Wall Friendship Award Recepient - Sergio Cecotti

The "Great Wall Friendship Award," established by the Beijing Municipal People's Government in 1999, released the list of winners for the 16th cycle on the afternoon of the 23rd. A total of 15 foreigners were awarded the "Great Wall Friendship Award," among them is Sergio Cecotti, an Italian researcher at our institution, who also received this honour.  This award is the sole highest honour awarded by Beijing to foreigners;  it was established to express gratitude and recognize foreigners for their outstanding contributions to Beijing's economic and social development, as well as their dedication demonstrated in their work. Up to now, 221 foreigners from 32 different countries have received this award.

Li Yin, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee,  pointed out in a discussion panel with the winners that Beijing's project of leading foundational socialist modernization contains extensive development opportunities and potential. Open Beijing welcomes international individuals to innovate, start businesses, and live and work here. One hopes that everyone can enjoy these new opportunities for developments, as well as passionately participate in building Beijing's future.

The winners were very impressed with Beijing's achievements in economic and social development in recent years. They pledged to continue making great contributions in order to elevate Beijing's status and promote Sino-foreign exchange and cooperation. Based on the winners' respective fields, they shared their insights on the following three themes for Beijing's modernization:

(i) promoting in-depth integration of innovation and the industrial chain, synergizing regional economy

(ii) promoting international cooperation in basic foundational science in order to jointly respond to major global challenges

(iii) promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning, so that we may prosper in the orchard of civilization together.